McGeechan to work with Gloucester

Gloucester have announced that British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan is to work with the club in an advisory capacity.

McGeechan will link up with former Scotland captain and current Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath at Kingsholm.

Gloucester are currently ninth in the Guinness Premiership, but they are through to this season's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals - against McGeechan's former club Wasps - and LV= Cup semi-finals.

McGeechan, who was knighted in the recent New Year Honours, was head coach of the Lions on four tours, including last summer's trip to South Africa when the Springboks won a pulsating Test series 2-1.

He has also coached Scotland, in addition to holding rugby director roles at Wasps and Northampton, and says he is genuinely excited about the prospect of working in club rugby again.

"It's a terrific challenge," he said. "Gloucester as a club really do have so much potential.

"I think, as is shown by recent results, that things are certainly moving in the right direction under Bryan and the rest of the coaching staff.

"It's a great club, a real rugby club with a great stadium and tremendously loyal supporters.

"My job now is to work with Bryan with the aim of helping Gloucester take the next step and realise their massive potential.

"I'm very excited to be involved. I've already been around the training ground and met everyone, and can't wait to get started."